Chief Technology Development Officer/ Associate Provost

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

About Harvard: Harvard University is among the most prominent research universities in the world, with a commitment to advancing scientific discovery. The University is comprised of 13 Schools and had research expenditures of just over $1B in FY24, with roughly 75% being in the life sciences, physical sciences and engineering. The majority of scientific discoveries are created in research groups and labs within the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Medical School, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.

About the Harvard Office of Technology Development: The Office of Technology Development (OTD) is part of Harvard University's Central Administration. OTD fulfills the University’s commitment to translate technologies developed in Harvard labs for the public good and to establish corporate partnerships that advance research towards commercial impact. This is accomplished through a set of highly integrated activities:

• Business development activities to help faculty, postdocs and graduate students identify research areas with commercial potential and drive those projects towards impact through startup formation or licensing. This is accomplished by engaging with companies, entrepreneurs and venture capital firms globally.
• Corporate partnership activities to identify promising areas of research, develop opportunities for corporate partnering, structure/negotiate/finalize corporate partnerships and provide alliance management resources to manage these partnerships over the course of their existence.
• Accelerator funds that provide translational funding to advance research projects towards commercial impact through startup formation or through partnering with an existing company. OTD manages three accelerator funds that are focused on biotech, engineering/physical sciences and climate-related research.
• Transactional resources to draft, negotiate and finalize agreements supporting OTD’s mission.
• Intellectual Property Management to strategically expand Harvard’s IP portfolio in areas of commercial potential.

OTD consists of eight highly integrated functional areas including Business Development, Corporate Alliances, Accelerators, Intellectual Property, Institutional Initiatives/Policy, Technology Transactions, Finance/Administration and Communications. The team consists of 51 members, including 13 senior direct reports to the Chief Technology Development Officer/ Associate Provost (CTDO). The Office works closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and the University Development Office to align efforts in support of the University research enterprise.

Job Description

Position Overview: Reporting to the Vice Provost for Research, the Chief Technology Development Officer /Associate Provost (CTDO) leads OTD and plays a crucial role to develop the strategy, programs and team needed to fulfill OTD’s mission. In doing so, this individual works in partnership with University leadership, as well as Schools, Institutes and Initiatives to define, develop and execute programs that support the University’s strategic priorities. The CTDO also works with external stakeholders, including investors, industry partners and peer universities to maintain and enhance Harvard’s position as a leader in technology commercialization, corporate partnerships and entrepreneurship.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Advance a dynamic vision for technology development, technology commercialization and corporate partnerships that align with the University's academic mission.
• Strategic Planning: Create and implement a strategic roadmap to promote technology commercialization, corporate partnerships, and startup formation.
• Culture: Sustain a cultural mindset that engenders ownership, a sense of urgency, the ability to work with a wide range of faculty and a collaborative team approach that aligns with University policy.

Functional Oversight:

• Strategic Planning and Development: Define and lead activities to support the strategic research goals of the University, Schools, Institutes and Initiatives, working collaboratively with leadership across the University, as well as other internal stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Oversee and mentor a multidisciplinary team, supporting senior direct reports across operational and strategic functions.
• Business Development: Engage faculty, postdocs and graduate students across Harvard’s research enterprise to identify research areas with commercial potential and opportunities for corporate partnerships. Engage with companies, venture capital firms and entrepreneurs to advance technologies through corporate partnerships, launch startups and license technologies.
• Corporate Partnerships: Expand the scope of industry partnerships. Partner with internal stakeholders across Harvard to establish new and streamlined pathways for corporate partnerships and engagement, including development of experimental pilot projects designed to enable creative relationships that support the University’s academic mission.
• Financial Oversight: Manage internal budget planning and execution of OTD operations.
• Legal and Compliance: Oversee operation of the OTD legal team, which is charged with drafting, negotiating and finalizing a wide range of agreements, in compliance with University policies. Manage the process to ensure that Harvard licensees are in compliance with their contractual obligations. Work with the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and other internal stakeholders on institutional compliance issues.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish metrics to evaluate the success of OTD activities, effectively communicating progress and outcomes.

Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:

• Education: Degree in a scientific or engineering discipline, with an advanced degree or MBA.
• Experience: 10+ years in technology commercialization with extensive experience creating, structuring and managing complex corporate partnerships. 5+ years in leadership at a prominent university or research institution. Startup experience highly preferred, particularly as it relates to raising venture capital for early-stage startups.
• Leadership and Collaborative Skills: Proven ability to manage large teams and drive strategic initiatives, with strong organizational and collaborative skills. Ability to cultivate partnerships across a large institution, working with University leadership, faculty, staff, and other researchers across a wide spectrum of research disciplines. Ability to establish a mindset of collaboration among a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders and build productive relationships.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Track record of creative and strategic thinking in addressing complex challenges as it relates to technology commercialization and corporate partnerships.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: Standard work week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screening (Identity, Education, and Criminal)
• Other Information: This position has a 6-month orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 064. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.